Tiny Troubles

Nanoparticles, up to 100,000 times thinner than a human hair, are in everything from supplements to socks, to energy drinks and synthetic performance apparel. They are widespread in outdoor gear and apparel. But we still don’t know how they behave in the human body. Research shows that nanoparticles pass through the blood-brain barrier and penetrate the deepest part of the lungs. From there, they cross into the bloodstream and various organs.

Nanoparticles have been widely celebrated for their technological advances in bicycle frames, solar panels, and tennis rackets. They are used in over 800 consumer products–including toothpaste, sunscreen, and a variety of foods and drinks. However, virtually no safety testing has been performed on nanoparticles, and the preliminary scientific findings on mice testing suggests that nanoparticles could have health impacts as severe as asbestos (which also was once hailed as a miracle technology).